Page 10 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Four

Braelynn closed her eyes and counted to ten, attempting to calm her nerves. How the hell did I get myself into this situation? There was a time when a darkened beach under moonlight would have conjured romantic thoughts. But as the wind whipped over her shoulder she shivered, and she couldn’t decide if it was from fear or the cold sea air. She shone the flashlight onto the small strip of beach, and trod toward the steep wooden staircase that was nearly fifty feet away.

Braelynn considered the evening’s events. She’d been shocked to learn that Lars had her key. She’d lost it the night of the accident. How the hell Dean and Garrett had known he had it, she wasn’t certain. Garrett had texted her, convincing her to leave the party to search for and retrieve it. Easy entry, easy job, he’d told her. They’d keep him occupied. No one would be home. She’d been given Lars’ address, the code to his back door and alarm, and instructed how to bypass the security system. Braelynn had been warned as to the dog, assured that the animal was friendly and would accept a treat in exchange for entrance. Lars’ office was located adjacent to the kitchen entrance.

Corporate espionage.It wasn’t as if she had any training. She’d been a biologist, for fuck’s sake. Instead of rescuing seals or helping to protect the ecological sanctuaries of marine life, she’d been forced to learn hard and quick the intricacies of clandestine operations. But unlike Garrett, she was the only one who worked for Bart-Aqua and had access to the stolen research.

HWB614.Her joint discovery with Chase had resulted in the identification of a unique protein. Braelynn had theorized that it could be developed to allow soldiers to retain oxygen in their bloodstream for longer periods of time. The practicalities on land existed as well, enabling humans to survive at higher elevations without needing oxygen tanks.

Within the walls of Bart-Aqua, she’d attempted to steal the research, but her first mission had failed. Concerned that partial files had downloaded, she locked the chip away in a location only known to her. Although it was possible that the key could be replicated, she sought to collect the evidence of her covert activity.

Braelynn had parked her car at a local hotel up the street from Lars’ home, and crossed the street onto the beach. She’d decided against entering the front entrance, concerned someone would see her. After venturing down the long stretch of open sand, her path had narrowed. Up against the cliffs, she prayed that the incoming high tide would remain at bay long enough to let her pass through to the staircase. She shone the flashlight onto the sand. Only ten more feet, and she’d safely reach the stairs.

Braelynn screamed as the sleeper wave rolled onshore, taking her by surprise. She lost her footing and collapsed into the gushing swell, unable to fight it. The mighty current dragged her out into the breakers. Sucked underneath the crest, she held her breath and struggled to find her way out of the churning sea. Although she was a strong swimmer, panic registered within the turbulent dark abyss. Her energy drained as she kicked her way upward. Piercing the surface, she sucked a deep breath. She lost track of time as she trod water, bobbing helplessly.

Attempting to orient herself to her surroundings, she searched for the lights that twinkled from the shore. As another large wave rumbled toward her, she ducked into the tube. Icy whitewater swirled around her but she swam with the flow, praying to God she’d reach shore. As she smashed into the hard sand, she fought the returning tide. Clutching onto the edge of the rock, she cried as the water finally retreated. She heaved for breath and shoved to her feet, stumbling against the muddy bluff.

Braelynn had never been afraid of the ocean, but without a wetsuit she knew she was vulnerable. Coughing salt water, she pressed her forehead against the cliff. Gooseflesh broke over her skin as the wind roared. Exposed, she reasoned that she had minutes before she’d succumb to the elements. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she managed to find her way to the stairs. She wrapped her trembling fingers around its railing and began the long ascent.

By the time she reached the top, numbness had set in, and she shuddered. A forceful gust whistled past her head, but she forced herself to continue. Setting one heavy foot in front of the other, Braelynn trudged toward the door, her cold soggy clothes clinging to her skin. She blinked, her vision blurring as her body temperature dropped. Even though her mind understood the physiology of what was happening, she was unable to stop the inevitable. If she didn’t get to shelter and warm her body, she could lose consciousness.

“You can do this,” she mumbled, her words slurring.

As the back door came into sight, a surge of adrenaline propelled her toward the home. Her hand found the security panel and she braced her back against the stone exterior. She wiped a frozen hand across her eyes, straining to read the numbers. They danced, doubling as she fumbled to enter the code. A tiny voice in the back of her head urged her to hurry but she could not process the command.

One. Eight. Five.“No, no, no,” she repeated. Her heartbeat raced as she attempted to tame her thoughts. Eight. One. Five. Three. Zero. Her fingertips fluttered over the keypad, searching for the pound sign. Depressing the button, she grunted, her body shaking uncontrollably. The red flickering light above flashed to yellow and back.

“No!” The back of her head slammed against the wall as she lost her balance. As her legs gave out, she released a jagged breath. A bright light temporarily roused her. Like a deer in the headlights, she froze as the door swung open.

The same piercing ice-blue eyes that had gazed upon her in the hospital stared back at her. Hardened, his lips tensed in anger. Defiantly, she locked her eyes on his, yet her tears revealed her vulnerability. His contempt evolved to concern as he addressed her.

“Dr. Rollins,” she heard him call, her thoughts confused. I’m sorry. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.

“Dr. Rollins, can you hear me? What’s going on?” he asked. His hands reached for her, and she attempted to jerk away. As if he’d been touched by electricity, shock washed across his face. “Jesus Christ. What the hell happened to you?”

“No…” she began. Unable to finish her thought, she closed her eyes, humiliated, a sense of dread rushing through her. Garrett and Dean would prosecute her for certain if she didn’t recover the research. If her uncle found out about her duplicity, it’d be likely his associates would finish the job they’d attempted on the beach. Dread lodged in her chest and a large lump formed in her throat, knowing Lars would expect answers.

“Let’s go, Doc.” Lars slid his arms around Braelynn, cradling her wet form against his body.

“No…” Yes. Oh God, please.

“Yeah, that’s not a request.”

Braelynn inhaled warm air into her lungs and coughed. The clean scent of his skin brought back the memory of dancing with him earlier in the evening. She wanted to fight, to escape, but energy eluded her. He’d demand she tell him what she was doing at his back door. She’d lie. He’d probably call the police. Garrett would deny he’d sanctioned anything. She’d go to prison. With a myriad of disastrous possibilities swirling through her mind, she fought the nausea that rose from her belly.

“Hey there, Doc. You’re going to be okay, now.” His voice softened, a loving hand touched her cheek.

No longer able to meet his gaze, she gave in to the comfort his strong arms provided. She wondered where he was taking her, his footsteps pressing up the stairs. Despite her curiosity, her body fell limp. So tired, her mind wandered, drifting into slumber.

“Hey, no sleeping yet. I don’t know what’s going on with you but we’ve got to get you warm.”

“Hmm, no,” she responded with a yawn. She didn’t protest as he laid her onto the soft bedding. “Yes.”

“No, sweetheart. For a smart lady, you don’t seem to listen very well, you know that?”

“I’ve just…a little nap…please.” The drugging exhaustion consumed her, she was no longer able to fight it. A jerk to her arm alerted Braelynn that her clothing was being removed. Her eyes flew open, locking onto his in panic. “No!”

“Yes.” He sighed, his eyebrows narrowed in irritation. “Dr. Rollins. You’re wet. Cold. Moderate hypothermia from what I can tell.”

“No,” she protested, tugging at the sopping fabric. Confusion rolled through her. Where am I? How did I get here?

“Yes. We’ve got to warm you up,” he argued.

Braelynn’s heart caught as he leaned toward her, his lips within inches of hers. Lars. Mesmerized by his striking eyes, she went still.

“Braelynn…”

“Yes.” Her breathy response emerged in acceptance of her current reality. The long pause that followed stirred thoughts of arousal. This man. Lars Elliott. She’d fantasized about him long before he’d rescued her. And although logic screamed to her that she’d fucked up any chance of ever being with him, it also told her she was in his bed.